Believe it or not, but Kirby Smart has a soft spot for five-star studs. Georgia’s been aggressively chasing top recruits in the 2026 class like a dog after a bone; first, they got quarterback Jared Curtis right from Oregon’s arms, then narrowly missed out on Jackson Cantwell. But that didn’t stop his run. The moment linebacker Xavier Griffin decommitted from USC and narrowed his top 4, including Georgia, they quickly offered Grayson’s star LB, Tyler Atkinson. He’s a key player on Grayson’s 14-1 state championship team who pulled up a stunt to make sure folks don’t forget him… or his success.

Georgia has been trying hard to get Atkinson’s commitment, and his mindset proves why he is getting all the attention. Georgia’s reporter Jeff Sentell hits X on May 17, 2025, posting a video of Atkinson showing off his Grayson championship ring and saying, “It was all worth it. We are running it back, too.” So in this competitive recruiting season, it would be unwise of any recruiter to miss out on a player who’s already building a winning attitude.

Even Tyler Atkinson’s track record speaks volumes about his excellence. This guy recorded 166 tackles, 13 sacks, and 1 interception. And against Carrollton, he finished with 13 tackles and 2 sacks. Plus, he also had a season-high 26 tackles against Douglas County, and Tyler was the second guy who was named as MaxPreps National Junior of the Year after Robert Nkemdiche, who won it back in 2011. So, how can Kirby Smart and his staff miss out on a talent like him? That’s exactly why Bulldogs coaches Glenn Schumann and Travaris Robinson went straight to make an important visit to him.

Best part is that On3’s Chad Simmons forecasts that five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson will choose Georgia. “Auburn, Ohio State, Oregon, and others, but I will still say Georgia for now,” Simmons said. “This race is tight, and there are still some big discussions to be had on both sides of this recruitment, but it starts with the home-state school. Ohio State has really come on strong and closed the gap in a big way over the last few months.”

But let’s not forget that Ryan Day made a visit to him. And Ohio State visit impressed him, which is pretty evident by what he said to Wiltfong after the visit.“It was really good. I was glad to see the staff.” Tyler said. This boosts the Buckeyes’ chances of landing him, but Georgia remains the frontrunner. The Bulldogs’ persistent recruiting and instate factor are still an advantage. And he even posted for the Dawgs after their recent visit and said, “We had a great time at dinner.” So, for now, it’s a pretty close battle between Ohio State and Georgia.

Still, the chances of Georgia seem pretty strong. Even On3’s Steve Wiltfong landed Kirby Smart’s team in the first position in Tyler’s recruitment. “Georgia right now for Tyler Atkinson, but Ohio State is certainly a major contender. Oregon, Clemson, Auburn, and others are also in the middle of this, moving into the summer,” Wiltfong said. While Georgia holds the lead, programs like Ohio State and Oregon remain within striking distance as summer visits loom. But with all this recruiting win on the verge, Kirby Smart is also gaining his old momentum and presence back.

Kirby Smart’s unmatched aura remains intact

While Kirby Smart’s 2024 season wasn’t flawless (11-3, their first three-loss season since 2018), his coaching reputation remains unfazed. Criticism targeted his offensive staff (Mike Bobo and Stacy Searels) and off-field issues. Recruiting also faced setbacks, missing out on key prospects like Justus Terry and Jackson Cantwell.

Despite the turmoil, a majority of ESPN writers chose Smart as college football’s best coach. Of 12 contributors polled, Smart was the top choice for 11. Just a single vote went to NFL legend Bill Belichick, who lacks college coaching experience, with that same voter ranking Smart as their second choice. “With more first-round NFL draft picks (20) than losses (19)… it’s hard to argue it could be anyone other than Smart,” ESPN’s Mark Schlabach said. “I don’t think Georgia’s program is going to slip anytime soon.”

Smart finished with 119 of a possible 120 points—a resounding victory despite last season’s setback. In nine years at his alma mater, he boasts a 105-19 record. Just five more wins in 2025 would make him the second-winningest coach in his first ten seasons, trailing only George Woodruff, who led Penn to 124 wins from 1892-1901. Yet, Smart defines success beyond championships. “Do I want to win a national championship? Absolutely,” he told CFB critic Paul Finebaum. “But that’s not going to be the be-all and end-all for us. We want to get the most out of every team we can.”

Georgia’s 2025 roster is vastly different following significant offseason turnover. Sixteen scholarship players entered the transfer portal, and thirteen more declared for the NFL Draft. Smart used the portal to bolster key positions, particularly wide receiver and running back. Gunner Stockton seems poised to lead at quarterback after a strong spring. While not considered the same juggernaut, Smart acknowledges the persistent high expectations.

Among the other top 10 coaches on ESPN, Smart has a 6-2 record. He embraces the pressure, even though winning a national title is the ultimate goal. “I love the expectation I embrace that,” he said. “I think that’s a good thing because if it’s not there, then what are you playing for, you know?” Now, let’s wait and see if Kirby Smart can win this season’s natty with Georgia and surpass last season’s setbacks.